Flexible moisture attachment for cigarette cases



April 3, 1956 D. H. JUNE 2,740,683

FLEXIBLE MOISTURE ATTACHMENT FOR CIGARETTE CASES Filed April 27,. 1953 INVENTOR. DAVID HTJUNE United Sta tes atent FLEXIBLE MOTSTURE ATTACHMENT FOR CIGARETTE CASES David H. June, New York, N Y.

Application April 27, 1953, Serial No. 351,069

1 Claim. (Cl. 312-31) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tobacco products containers such as cigarette cases.

More particularly, the present invention proposes the construction of an improved cigarette case which contains a humidor member in the form of a flattened hollow tube with a vapor opening in at least one side and at least one open end to receive and hold a moistened or water saturated pad.

Another object of the present invention proposes forming the flattened tubular member so that it will slidahly receive and hold a moistened blotter strip in a cigarette case adjacent the cigarettes but with the moistened blotter strip out of direct contact with them.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing the flattened tubular member of two telescoping set tions so that one section can be retracted within the other as the cigarettes are withdrawn from the case. As a further object, the present invention proposes pivotally fastening one of the flattened tubular members in each half of the case with a spring means so that each tubular member removably will overlie and. bias or press against the cigarettes in the case to hold them firmly in the case and at the same time prevent them from. drying out.

The present invention further proposes various novel arrangements of the tubular humidor members in the case more firmly to hold the cigarettes without crushing them and to distribute water vapor more uniformly in the case.

For further comprehension of the invention and or" the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a cigarette case con structed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the tubular member and moisture pad shown in Figs 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to la 1 but illustrating a modification of the present invention.

Fig 5 is a perspective View of a tubular humidor tncmbet similar to those shown in the several figures but illustrating another modification of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig, 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of 5.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, a cigarette case 15, of metal, plastic, ceramics, Wood or other material, has two halves or sections 16 and I7 hinged together by a hinge 13 along one edge of each section. The case sections or halves l6 and 17 are shallow shells adapted to receive a number of cigarettes 19 in a single row. Coacting closure elements 20 and 2! provide means removably to hold the sections to and 17 together when the case is closed.

Identical flattened tubular humidor members 22 and 23 are provided in each side or section of the case, tubular member 22 being diagonally disposed in the half 16 of the case and tubular member 23 being similarly disposed in the other half 17 of case i5.

Hinge elements 24 and 25 are formed along the upper edge of sections 16 and [7, respectively, of the case and mating hinge elements 26 and 27 are provided on the tubular members 22 and 23, respectively, with pins or pintles 22% and 29 holding the hinge elements together. Springs 3%] and 31 secured to pins or pintles 28 an 29 tend to hold or bias the tubular members 22 and 23 against the cigarette! 19 to hold them in the case. In this manner, spring means are provided pivotally and resiliently to fasten the tubular members 22 and 23 each at one end to the case removably to overlie and bias or pre against cigarettes i) therein.

Each of the tubular members .22 and 23 has an open ing 32 in its lower side which runs its entire length and its free end 33 is an open end.

A Water or other fluid moistened or saturable pad 34 removably is insertable in each tubular member 22 and 23 through the open end 33 thereof. The pads 34 preferably are blotter stri' s moistened with water or other hnmidor fluid. Each tubular member 22 and 23 has a linger opening 35 (so: i 3) in its fiat lower side at its end 33 for finger urchase on the pad 34 for easy ir ,eriion and removal of the pads.

The modified Form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 is t'ii'lili' eter' ed by the provision of tubular members 36 and 37 in t. on 3:; of cigarette case 39 and tubular member 40 in section 42.. The two sections of cigarette case are hinged together by hinge 42 along one edge of each section of the case and the tubular members 36, 37 and "it; are fastened to the case 3-9 in the some manner as tubular members 22 and 23 in Figs. l, 2 and 3, above described, are fastened to case 25.

Tubular members 3t and 37 are spaced apart and extend straight across section 31% of CE 'trctte case 39. Tubular mernber 4t is disposed between the tubular members 36 and 37 and extends straight across the other section 4 of the case 39. Tubular ntcmbers 36, 37 and 40 are constructed the same as tub lar members 22 and 23, above described, except tlmt in their t'ppcr llat sides 43, 44 and 45, respectively, are screened vapor openings 46 urther to permit moisture to escape from pads 47 in them and keep the cigarettes 48 from drying out.

The modified form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is characterized by the provision of a flattened tubular member 49 made telescopic with two telescoping sections 5! and Sl. Vapor openings 52 and 53 (see Fig. 7) are provided in the flat lower side walls of sections 50 and 51, respectively, of the tubular member 49, these openings 52 and 53 running the length of the sections.

Hinge pin 54 (Fig. 5) and spring 55 provide spring means pivotally and res liently to fasten one end 56 of section 51 to a case for the telescopic member 49 to overlie and press against cigarettes in the case. The other 57 of the section 51 and the two ends 58 and 59 of section 56 are open ends. A thumb rest 6!] is fixed to the upper fiat side of section 5% at its front or free end 58 more easily to tr. stone the sections and the ends 59 and 57 of sections Sit and 55. respectively, are flanged to prevent the sections from coming apart when fully drawn out.

A Water saturnble pad 6] is removably inserlable in the sections 50 and 5t through the open on"! 53 of section 50.

While 1 have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention. it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

In a cigarette case, a flattened tubular telescopic member, said telescopic member having two telescoping sections with vapor openings in the adjacent flat side walls thereof, flanged ends on said telescoping sections to prevent complete withdrawal of one of said sections, spring means pivotally and resiliently fastening one end of one of the sections to the case for the telescopic member removnbly to overlie and press against cigarettes in the case, the other end of the section fastened to the case and the two ends of the other section being open ends and a water saturable pad removably inset-table in the sections of the telescopic member through the open end of one 4 of the sections, said latter section having a linger grip opening in one of its flat sides at the open end through which the pad is insertable for finger purchase on the pad, mid finger grip opening having flaring walls for guiding said pad into the section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.074.714 Guenther Oct. 7, 1913 l.2 'i5.75l King Nov. 21, 1916 |,48l,325 Le Gris Jan. 22, 1924 |,540.2l1 (jaisman June 2, 1925 1,637,814 Gallagher Aug. 2, 1927 1,705,309 Parsons Mar. 12, 1929 2,641,360 lrelan .d June 9, 1953 

